Tin Can Alley

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5/5 (5 reviews)
Barstow, California (San Bernardino County)
Last Updated: 05/31/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Climbing into the eastern edge of the Calico Mountains, Tin Can Alley is an easy drive that provides beautiful views across the desert and into the mountains. Near the trailhead, a large area on the side of the trail is covered with rusting tin cans left by the miners decades ago, hence the trail's name. Years of exposure have eroded any markings that tell of the can's contents, but still, it is an enticing stop to rummage through the field to find the last can still standing. At its end, this trail connects to the heart of the challenging Calico Mountain trail network.


Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

5/5 (5)
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Official Crew
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41800
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/22/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I was surprised at the beautiful scenery this trail provides. All along the trail, there were many locations for dispersed camping and Id like to especially go back and camp at the view waypoint overlooking the Calico Mountains. Any two wheel drive vehicle with a bit of ground clearance will do fine on this easy trail
Trail Review: Tin Can Alley - Robert Kruse
Trail Review: Tin Can Alley - Robert Kruse
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Official Crew
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41800
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/16/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

An easy drive with the only difficulty at the end with the hill climb. Two-wheel drive handled the climb over the loose rock. There are few pre-existing campsites, and the one at Waypoint 5 was nice one with a small hill to block the wind. From trail end we drove Phillips Canyon East then West onto Odessa Canyon but reached a steep ledge we were not comfortable attempting being a single vehicle and we turned around and made our way back over Tin Can Alley to Mule Canyon to reach pavement.
Trail Review: Tin Can Alley - Robert Kruse
Trail Review: Tin Can Alley - Robert Kruse
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Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 03/27/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

A trail that gets you behind the mountain and leads you to some more difficult trails.
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Official Crew
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1100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 01/23/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Easy, low drama trail suitable for softroaders with confident tires. Take this trail all the way to the locked gate at the base of Calico Peak for a nice lunch spot.
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Official Crew
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3450
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 12/29/2019

I took a quick run down Tin Can Alley. I have been there many times before, but this time we spent some time exploring the remnants of the trash piles. I hadn't noticed it before, but most of the old tin cans were opened with a knife blade. I gave me some insight as to how long some of those cans have been there. The trail was in good shape. You can see some snow in the background on Calico Peak. If you're in the area, it's worth check it out.
Trail Review: Tin Can Alley - David May
Trail Review: Tin Can Alley - David May
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